In every family, someone ends up with “the stuff.” It is the goal of The Family Curator to inspire, enlighten, and encourage other family curators in their efforts to preserve and share their own family treasures.

I’ve tidied the bulletin board to show off a few favorite snapshots and brought in a bunch of fresh freesias to fill Grandmother Arline’s dainty cream pitcher. I like using my mother-in-law’s German stork scissors, although they are not really practical for paper and general cutting. And, I enjoy the pretty cut glass and silver candy dish repurposed for paper clips. The desk mouse does duty as originally intended, holding notes and the all-important daily ToDo List. All these things came my way from their original owners; thank you, ladies!

The corkboard above my desk is the perfect place to catch my baby grandson’s smile, along with a photo from a visit East last autumn. The other pictures were snapped between storms in Vermont, further north than my ancestors’ homes in Windsor and Rutland Counties. In a bit of serendipitous good fortune, I found the small pennants in an antique store in New York, a few years after visiting both Rutland and Montpelier; they were a kind of delayed souvenir.

Of course, I also have a copy of the latest Blogger’s Almanac, urging me to pull out the keyboard and “Write!” Now that my workspace is a bit more inviting, I just might do that!

The last day of my week long checklist of spring cleaning tasks for my genealogy archives. Follow #genspringclean on Twitter, and share your updates too.

Friday – Bring in a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Clear off your desk and give your genealogy workspace a place to display a framed ancestor photograph or treasure. Some family treasures are best used and enjoyed. Can you repurpose your grandmother’s ironstone pitcher as a flower vase or pencil cup for your desk? Write a post about any family artifacts you see or use daily. Be sure to give a statement of provenance telling who owned it and how it came in your possession.